MIDWEST SALES REPS CREATE THEIR OWN TRADESHOW
It happened organically. Midwest reps Rob Strieter (R. Strieter Ltd) and Rob Phillips (R & V Phillips Enterprise Ltd) were chatting about possibly setting up a show in the absence this season of the Chicago Collective.
Says Phillips, “In these trying times, we’re all working outside of our normal comfort zones. But retailers have expressed a definite desire to see and feel product, a missing element this year. We thought an actual (vs. digital) trade show could help retailers overcome the challenge of purchasing without touching.”
They’re calling the show “Midwest Threads Co-Op” (MTC). In addition to Strieter and Phillips, the other involved agencies are Buddy and Trish Andrews and Charlie Schenck.
Brands represented include Tommy Bahama, Ballin, Cutter & Buck, Tori Richards, Q by Flint, Borgo, True Grit, 34 Heritage, Raffi, Saxx, Bugatchi, and Peter Millar.
“We’re limiting the show to just four agencies and we already have the first day booked,” says Phillips. “With protocols, we’re scheduling one-hour blocks for meetings with one store at a time. There will be a maximum of only 12 people in the space at any time. As of today, we have stores coming from Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri.”
The show will take place on August 30th through September 3rd from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at 100 South River Street in Aurora, Illinois (about 35 miles from Chicago).
For more information, Rob Phillips can be reached at 630-544-0759 or at rudaments@aol.com.
I admire all your courage and unique collective visions during these very unsure times.
Bravo to the team of Midwest Threads Co-Op (MTC).
And much thanks to Karen Alberg Grossman for giving you all the MR platform voice to enlighten our industry leaders of your new trade show concept.
I pray for your success and safety as well.
Cheers from Bill Lavin
Rob and the Team at R. Strieter Ltd,
Thank you so much for finding a new way forward to help your customers and bring about the change you are wishing to see in the world!- Joel Freet, CEO, Cutter & Buck, Inc.
Gentlemen,
You show that true American Entrepreneurial Spirit.
We will join you if you will have us.
All the best
Jack Makoujy
BRAVO! We all have to be positive. Life and business will go on.
Wishing you all much success in your endeavor! I hope and pray that it’s a safe event for those that attend. Godspeed!
Way to go Buddy and Trish!!
So happy you are figuring out a way of getting our new Bugatchi OoohCotton Tech shirts and knits into the customers hands to feel and touch.
Richard Gualtieri
Awesome to see this something happening in Chicago! It is creative thinking to push the ball forward that is going to drive the industry this year 👏🏻